Gun scare leads to man's arrest, police say

Published: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 9:28 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 11:39 a.m.

A Lawtey man spotted walking on Northwest 39th Avenue with what appeared to be an assault rifle but was actually a BB gun was arrested Wednesday afternoon by the Gainesville Police Department on multiple charges.

Randall R. Prevatt, 47, was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest without violence and domestic battery by strangulation, according to an arrest report.

The incident began about 2:25 p.m. when a witness reported seeing a man with an assault rifle near 400 NW 39th Ave. Officers spotted Prevatt near Stephen Foster Elementary School with a long rifle and two knives, the report states.

Officers pulled up beside Prevatt and ordered him to drop the gun and knives, which he did. But Prevatt continued to walk away after police told him to stop. Police tackled him, the report states.

Prevatt was taken to Shands at the University of Florida for treatment of injuries he got when scuffling with police. While at Shands, Prevatt’s girlfriend told officers Prevatt had choked her Wednesday morning, according to the report.

Prevatt later was taken to the Alachua County jail, here he remained Thursday without bond.

<p>A Lawtey man spotted walking on Northwest 39th Avenue with what appeared to be an assault rifle but was actually a BB gun was arrested Wednesday afternoon by the Gainesville Police Department on multiple charges.</p><p>Randall R. Prevatt, 47, was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest without violence and domestic battery by strangulation, according to an arrest report.</p><p>The incident began about 2:25 p.m. when a witness reported seeing a man with an assault rifle near 400 NW 39th Ave. Officers spotted Prevatt near Stephen Foster Elementary School with a long rifle and two knives, the report states.</p><p>Officers pulled up beside Prevatt and ordered him to drop the gun and knives, which he did. But Prevatt continued to walk away after police told him to stop. Police tackled him, the report states.</p><p>Prevatt was taken to Shands at the University of Florida for treatment of injuries he got when scuffling with police. While at Shands, Prevatt's girlfriend told officers Prevatt had choked her Wednesday morning, according to the report.</p><p>Prevatt later was taken to the Alachua County jail, here he remained Thursday without bond.</p>